Tag: English

RIP Yours Sincerely

About 8 years ago I wrote a blog post entitled https://stephenliddell.co.uk/2015/06/13/yours-sincerely-the-story-of-valedictions/ Even though it was partly hinted at all those years ago, a new study into workplace emails suggests that starting with ‘Dear’ will also soon become thing of the past. Phrases such as ‘Yours sincerely’ will die out in the next ten years as… Continue reading RIP Yours Sincerely

50 sayings that are off to the knackers yard!

A few years ago I wrote a book called My New Book – Straight from the Horse’s Mouth : 100 Idioms, their Meanings and Origins which always sells quite by my standards, especially at Christmas. Words and sayings have been such a rich source of our culture and often inspired by history, even if it is… Continue reading 50 sayings that are off to the knackers yard!

The oldest living English language

Today’s post isn’t one that I wrote.   I’ve been on the internet way before there was a world-wide web.  When it was all Gophers and FTPs in the early 1990’s and even in the late 1980’s on local Bulletin Boards or BBS.   In some ways the internet of old was a bit better than today;… Continue reading The oldest living English language

My new Nursery Rhyme Tour of London

It’s at this time of year where as near as possible I have a slightly easier life.  Fewer tourists though doesn’t mean I’m not working.  In an ideal world I would be using January to write books but I’m still busy with work but working from home and so I have been researching new tours… Continue reading My new Nursery Rhyme Tour of London

An example of how English has changed over 1200 years.

I found this poster earlier today and thought it was well worth sharing.  The text contains a brief passage of one of the most famous Psalms and I think gives a wonderful insight to how language changes. I really don’t like the modern version, it sounds almost like it is written for people with learning… Continue reading An example of how English has changed over 1200 years.

John Donne – A forgotten poet and his discovered manuscript.

In the long and rich history of English literature, John Donne is almost forgotten about by many today but in his time he was pioneering.  Born into a Catholic family at a time when it was illegal to practice the religion in England, Donne wrote often biting satire on legal corruption, mediocre writers, pig-headed officials… Continue reading John Donne – A forgotten poet and his discovered manuscript.

Bunhill Fields – the resting place of some of the biggest names in history.

You might remember a few weeks ago I wrote about the dreadful place Dancing on the Dead at Enon Chapel – The Victorian Sensation! Whilst writing that and out and about on research, I gained the chance to visit Bunhill Fields.  Bunhill Fields was once part of the Manor of Finsbury with connections to St Pauls… Continue reading Bunhill Fields – the resting place of some of the biggest names in history.

Words that are becoming extinct

Like many of us, I am a big fan of and user of words.  One of my most popular blog posts is 102 great words that aren’t in English but should be102 great words that aren’t in English but should be. I’m also a fan of etymology, the study of the origin of words and… Continue reading Words that are becoming extinct